IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0270356
(2005-11-09)
|
등록번호 |
US-7507061
(2009-03-24)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Wells,James S.
- Garcia,Anibal J.
- Rohrlick,Myles A.
- Simmons,John B.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo is provided. The pallet system includes a cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having forklift slots generally formed between the upper and lower surfaces, and a pair of oppo
A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo is provided. The pallet system includes a cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having forklift slots generally formed between the upper and lower surfaces, and a pair of oppositely disposed ends generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface. A plurality of drop-down rails is configured to convert the lower surface from a flat bottom to a non-planar bottom. A plurality of extendable rails is used to extend a width of the cargo pallet. A locking mechanism enables the cargo pallet to be coupled to another cargo pallet. A collapsible bale arm assembly can be removed from the cargo pallet when the cargo pallet is stored.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising: a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides and a pair of oppositely disposed ends generally interconnecting said upp
What is claimed is: 1. A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising: a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides and a pair of oppositely disposed ends generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, said pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having a plurality of forklift slots formed generally within said upper surface and said lower surface, said plurality of forklift slots being operable to receive forks from a fork lifting system for lifting said pallet system; and, a plurality of drop-down rails adaptable to configure said lower surface into a non-flat bottom, wherein each of said drop-down rails can be positioned to align with a roller and restraint system for a transportation vehicle. 2. The pallet system of claim 1, wherein said, plurality of drop-down rails is further adaptable to configure said lower surface into a substantially flat bottom, wherein said drop-down rails are stowed away to allow said lower surface to move over a cargo roller system for a transportation aircraft or vehicle. 3. The pallet system in claim 1, further comprising an extendable rail disposed at about each one of said pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides, said extendable rail being operable to extend and retract to thus vary an overall width of said first cargo pallet. 4. The pallet system of claim 1, further comprising a wheel assembly adjustably coupled to at least one of said pair of oppositely disposed ends, said wheel assembly being operable incrementally to adjust a height of said first cargo pallet above a support surface. 5. The pallet system of claim 1, further comprising a bale arm assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet and operable to facilitate transportation of said first cargo pallet, said bale arm assembly having a bale bar adapted for removal when said first cargo pallet is placed in a stowed position. 6. The pallet system of claim 1, wherein said first cargo pallet further includes a locking mechanism for coupling to a second cargo pallet. 7. The pallet system of claim 6, wherein said locking mechanism further includes a male connector assembly having a retractable pin configured to mate with a female connector assembly of said second cargo pallet having a pin receptacle, wherein said pin transitions to a first position for mating with said female connector assembly, and to a second, stowed position when not needed. 8. The pallet system of claim 6, wherein said locking mechanism further includes a female connector assembly having a pin receptacle adapted for receiving a pin of said second cargo pallet, wherein said pin receptacle supplies a force to said pin to prevent said pin from being removed from said pin receptacle. 9. A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising: a cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of opposing ends and a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar, said pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having a plurality of forklift slots formed generally between said upper surface and said lower surface, said plurality of forklift slots being operable to receive forks from a fork lifting system for lifting said pallet system; and, a plurality of extendable rails coupled to said pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides, operable to extend and retract to thus vary an overall width of said cargo pallet. 10. The pallet system of claim 9, further comprising a wheel assembly removably coupled to said cargo pallet, said wheel assembly adjustably coupled to at least one of said pair of opposing ends. 11. The pallet system of claim 10, wherein said wheel assembly can be adjusted linearly along a track to vary a height at which said cargo pallet is supported above a support surface. 12. The pallet system of claim 9, wherein said lower surface includes a cargo system compatible edge structure having a plurality of notches extending around a width and a length of said lower surface on said pair of opposing ends, as well as along said plurality of extendable rails, wherein said edge structure is compatible with cargo rail systems used in transport vehicles, and wherein said plurality of notches lockingly engages pallet locks on a transport aircraft. 13. The pallet system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of drop-down rails adaptable to configure said lower surface into a non-planar surface and align with a roller and restraint system for a transportation vehicle. 14. The pallet system of claim 13, wherein said plurality of drop-down rails is further adaptable to configure said lower surface into a substantially planar surface, wherein said drop-down rails are stowed to allow said lower surface to interact with a cargo roller system on a cargo transport aircraft. 15. The pallet system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of lifting rings generally mounted to said cargo pallet, said plurality of lifting rings being connectable to a lifting device for lifting said pallet system. 16. The pallet system of claim 9, further comprising a collapsible bale arm assembly removably coupled to said cargo pallet and operable to facilitate transportation of said cargo pallet. 17. The pallet system of claim 9, further comprising at least one storage compartment generally formed within said upper surface and said lower surface for storing related pallet or cargo components. 18. A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising: a cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides and a pair of oppositely disposed ends generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar, said pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having a plurality of forklift slots formed generally within said upper surface and said lower surface, said plurality of forklift slots being operable to receive forks from a fork lifting system for lifting said pallet system; and, a plurality of wheel assemblies adjustably coupled to at least one of said pair of oppositely disposed ends, said wheel assemblies being operable to adjust in substantial linear increments and perpendicular to a surface, wherein each wheel assembly includes at least one wheel roller assembly having an independent wheel suspension system that allows said at least one wheel roller assembly to adjust for an uneven ground surface. 19. The pallet system of claim 18, further comprising a bale arm assembly removably coupled to at least one of said pair of oppositely disposed ends and operable to facilitate transportation of said cargo pallet. 20. The pallet system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of drop-down rails adaptable to configure said lower surface into a non-flat surface, wherein said plurality of drop-down rails is configured to align with a roller and restraint system for a transportation vehicle. 21. The pallet system of claim 20, said plurality of drop-down rails is further adaptable to configure said lower surface into a substantially flat surface, wherein said drop-down rails are stowed within said lower surface when not needed to allow said lower surface to interact with cargo roller systems on any conventional transportation aircraft and loader. 22. A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising: a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides, and a pair of oppositely disposed ends generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar, said pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having a plurality of forklift slots formed generally between said upper surface and said lower surface, said plurality of forklift slots being operable to receive forks from a fork lifting system for lifting said pallet system; and a collapsible bale arm assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, wherein said bale arm assembly is operable to interface with a load handling system of a transporting vehicle. 23. The pallet system of claim 22, wherein said bale arm assembly is configured to collapse for stowage. 24. The pallet system of claim 23, wherein said bale arm assembly includes a bale bar and a plurality of support arms to be individually separated from said first cargo pallet. 25. The pallet system of claim 24, wherein said bale bar is stowed within said first cargo pallet when not needed. 26. The pallet system of claim 24, wherein said support arms are stowed within said first cargo pallet when not needed. 27. The pallet system of claim 22, wherein said first cargo pallet includes at least one bale track configured to couple said bale arm assembly to said first cargo pallet. 28. The pallet system of claim 27, wherein said bale track includes a receiving slot having a lip configured to allow a support arm of said bale arm assembly to rotate into said receiving slot to couple to said first cargo pallet, wherein said lip prevents said bale arm assembly from being lifted out of said receiving slot in a substantially vertical position. 29. The pallet system of claim 27, further includes a gate coupled to said bale track and operable to pivot to a first position to cause friction against said support arm to prevent said support arm from being removed from said bale track. 30. The pallet system of claim 29, wherein said gate is operable to pivot to a second position allowing said support arm of said bale arm assembly to be seated within or removed from said bale track. 31. The pallet system of claim 29, further includes a wedge assembly coupled to said support arm, wherein said wedge assembly is operable to increase friction between said support arm and said gate to produce a slack free connection. 32. The pallet system of claim 22, wherein said first cargo pallet further includes a locking mechanism disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface, operable to couple said first cargo pallet to a second cargo pallet having a mating locking mechanism. 33. The pallet system of claim 32, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a female connecting assembly having a pin receptacle operable to receive a mating male connecting assembly of said second cargo pallet, wherein said second cargo pallet has a mating pin, and wherein said pin receptacle supplies a force to said mating pin to prevent said mating pin from being removed from said pin receptacle. 34. The pallet system of claim 32, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a male connecting assembly having a pin operable to engage a mating female connecting assembly of said second cargo pallet, when said cargo pallet has a mating pin receptacle, and wherein said pin is locked within said mating pin receptacle by a force on said pin that prevents said pin from being removed from said mating pin receptacle. 35. The pallet system of claim 34, wherein when said pin is locked within said mating pin receptacle, said male connecting assembly exerts a force on said pin to reduce gaps between said first cargo pallet and said second cargo pallet, such that a single substantially co-planar cargo pallet is formed. 36. The pallet system of claim 35, wherein said pin transitions to a first position for mating with said mating female connecting assembly, and to a second, stowed position when not in use.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.